Need help with Budget HT Setup

[RYCeT]

Hi guys, I'm planning to give my parents a ht setup. So far I've got

1 pair paradigm titan used as front
1 pair paradigm atom used as rear -------------Both of them cost me $260.00 from ebay
Panasonic SA-XR50 $250.00
Philips 963SA $250.00
I'm planning to get Paradigm CC170 as the center speaker, it might cost me around $160-170 used
Concrete/cinder block will be used for speaker stand

Btw, my parents got Sony Plasma KDE-42XS955 as the tv.

My questions are:
1. What Sub should I use? My budget is $200-300 I don't mind getting them used. It will be used for 80% movie 20% music
2. For the audio connections from the dvd player to the receiver, Should I use optical, coaxial, 2 RCA Interconnects or 5 RCA Interconnects?
3. For rear surround speaker, is it better to use regular speaker (paradigm atom) or a dipole/bipole speaker?
4. Where can I find a good budget speaker cable?

edit: Pls tell me if I'm missing something here.

 

[RYCeT]

C'mon guys, any comments here?

 

[lan]

Since it's movies and multichannel, send the digital DTS/DD out via digital cable into to the XR50. Keep the signal digital and let the Panasonic do what it doesn't best. I'd use a glass optical since it's cheaper than a good quality coax.

I'd just find some cheap 12 gauge speaker cable. Nothing special. Use the savings on a used HSU sub which is probably over 300 with shipping or parts express 10" dayton kit $350 which should be easy to build.

 

[soundboy]

Geez, I was hoping some of the other guys would jump in....

2. I believe Philips 963SA is also a SACD player, right? If so, you will need to connect the player to your receiver using 5 analog interconnects to take advantage of the player's SACD capability. Since you are planning to get a Panasonic SA-XR50, I would use either of the digital outputs when playing back DVDs or CDs. The Panny receivers are creating quite a buzz on the internet for their extraordinary sound quality when connected to a CD or DVD player via their digital outputs. So, definitely do it that way for CD and DVD. As of right now, only a handful of SACD players (read: $$$) can output the SACD outputs digitally, so only analog interconnects for SACD outputs.

3. If there's not much room between the listening position and the rear speakers, then I would suggest the dipole/bipole surround speakers since they would give the listener a more diffused sound. Especially for movies, where precise imaging may not be as important as multi-channel music playback.

 

[RYCeT]

Ian, what model is the hsu sub? STF-2? which one is better, hsu vs Dayton?

Soundboy, thank's for your advice, I don't think my parents will use them for SACD so I'll go with the optical, btw which one is better coaxial or optical?

Damn, I know I should buy a dipole/bipole speaker, arrhg, I guess I got a reason to buy more speakre

 

[lan]

Yes that's the model HSU I was talking about. I like sealed better so I'd checkout the Dayton. Since it's a kit for the same price, you are getter better parts since the labor is on you.

Coax maybe better than optical but maybe not so at the cheaper end. The coax I recommend is Stereovox HDVX (~$100). You can find a glass toslink for <40. On the cheaper end of things, the differences will be harder to notice anyway.

 

[BigD]

I use coax audio, 5 channel analog and component video. Quite stunning results in sound and picture for all formats and features! Does your panny have DVI or HDMI? Don't go crazy on cables for now.

 

[RYCeT]

Panny XR50 does not have a HDMI input, I believe only the XR70 have that input but it use 1 input and 1 output. The hdmi input on the tv is used currently for the cable box. Btw, isn't it better to have the video signal directly from source to display?
Currently I lend out my philips 963sa to be used for DVD viewing. I'm still deciding
1. to get another philips 963sa
2. to get a mods Toshiba 3960 for myself and kept that 963sa for the ht setup
3. to get a panny DVD97S and take back my 963sa for my headphone setup.

It looks to me that the panny 97s got the better picture since it capable of 1080i output and using HDMI.

For cables, I'm going to get Acoustic Research pro II series, it has good quality IMO (correct me if I'm wrong) and it's not that expensive.

How important is a center speaker for HT setup? Is paradigm cc170 be enough or should I get cc370?

edit: Are there any other center and sub I should consider for my system?

 

[RYCeT]

Guys, what is the difference between 16 gauge vs 12 gauge speaker cable? What is banana plugs or pins used for?
Yep, I'm a newb for speaker

 

[D-EJ915]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYCeT Guys, what is the difference between 16 gauge vs 12 gauge speaker cable? What is banana plugs or pins used for? Yep, I'm a newb for speaker

I don't remember the gauge thing exactly, but the larger the gauge, the thinner the wire.

Banana plugs are easy-connect connectors, they just plug in. Pins are small (assuming they're the moster-pin things) and are small, so it's easy to fit. Spades are the "best", but I use bares since it's the cheapest.

 

[soundboy]

Both the Titan and the Atom are in Paradigm's Performance series, so you should definitely get the center channel speaker that match that particular series of speakers. You can go to Paradigm's website and I am sure they can tell you which model to get.

 

[Ferbose]

Even the cheapest subwoofer from Hsu is supposed to be good.
But Paradigm also makes good subwoofers, so a Paradigm sub may blend better with your other speakers.

Speaker cable--try buy bulk speaker cables from Radioshack or Parts Express or Blue Jeans cables. All of those should work fine.

 

[D-EJ915]

I just wanted to say that paradigm subwoofers are really "tight", and not really for huge explosions in your home. They go plenty low enough, but won't do the "wow" like some other subs do.

 

[britishbane]

Go for the HSU. They have the best sub's I've heard for the price range. If you care about what stereophile thinks, they use an HSU VTF-2 as their reference sub for small rooms. I got mine for around $500, but you may be able to find a b stock unit at their website. If not look for a used one on audiogon. They also have the best customer service I have ever experienced. You can just call up the creator and owner Dr.Hsu and shoot the breeze with him. Stellar service and great subs.

 

[ooheadsoo]

I had the stf-2 which is the low extension mode of the vtf-2. Absolutely KILLER for HT. It will blow the Dayton away for HT. For music? Much tougher call. I found that there was considerable overhang but I could never get it integrated properly, so ...